Origin
Ankeny, IA
Afternoon in Ankeny on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
43°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Trip from Ankeny, IA to Bellevue, IA
Drive Time
4h 6m
Distance
200.5 mi
323 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$30
one way
Ankeny, IA
András Nyemczovszky
Bellevue, IA
Kelly
Trip Overview
If you are looking to cross Iowa, the 200.5-mile journey from Ankeny to Bellevue is a straightforward trek that fits perfectly into a single day of travel. Expect to spend about 4 hours and 6 minutes behind the wheel, making it an ideal choice if you want to reach your destination without the fatigue of a multi-day haul. With a modest fuel budget of approximately $30, this trip remains an affordable way to explore the Midwest. Because the route relies heavily on local roads, you should prepare for a more hands-on driving experience rather than a passive highway cruise. Whether you are traveling for business or a quick change of scenery, the manageable duration allows you to depart in the morning and arrive in Bellevue with plenty of time to settle in before evening.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
1 planned break
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
100.3 miles from Ankeny, IA
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 2h 2m into the drive .
Drive Character
Prepare for a turn-heavy local drive that demands your full attention compared to a standard interstate sprint. Only 7% of this route consists of major highways, meaning you will spend the vast majority of your time navigating smaller, winding paths like 200th Avenue and Northeast Hubbell Road. You will encounter a mix of pacing throughout the 200.5-mile trek, though you can expect a longest uninterrupted stretch of 37 miles while traveling along the Lincoln Highway. This is not a monotonous highway grind; instead, the road requires you to stay engaged as you transition between local thoroughfares. By prioritizing local roads over high-speed bypasses, the route offers a grounded perspective of the Iowa landscape that feels more intimate than a typical cross-country transit.
This route has more turning and local-road decision points than a simple highway run.
There are about 21 navigation steps in the underlying route data, so the final approach matters more than the middle miles.
Lincoln Highway is the longest continuous segment at about 37 miles.
How Hard Is This Drive?
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way. The trickiest moment comes early in the drive near Southwest Walnut Street.
Route Complexity
4/10
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
This is a straightforward 4h 6m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Southwest Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
Critical Maneuvers
5 of 9 key pointsThese are the spots where you need to pay the most attention. Preview them before you drive.
5
0 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
Southwest Walnut Street
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
Navigation decision point
5
0.2 mi into trip
|
~0m in
|
West 1st Street
At end of road, turn right onto West 1st Street
Navigation decision point
4
38.4 mi into trip
|
~50m in
Take the exit
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early
5
102.7 mi into trip
|
~2h 4m in
Take the exit toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
4
113.1 mi into trip
|
~2h 17m in
|
IA 100 / Collins Road Northeast
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100 / Collins Road Northeast
Highway fork - watch signs carefully
Towns Along This Route
On the drive from Ankeny, IA to Bellevue, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
Marion
102.7 mi in
|
~2h 4m
Main Roads
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Highway | 37 mi | 42m |
| 200th Avenue | 32.4 mi | 37m |
| Northeast Hubbell Road | 28 mi | 32m |
| 73rd Street | 26.8 mi | 30m |
| Marion Airport Road | 24.1 mi | 27m |
| Great River Road | 16.7 mi | 22m |
| IA 100 | 9.4 mi | 11m |
| Northeast 94th Avenue | 8.5 mi | 13m |
Longest stretch:
Lincoln Highway
— 37 mi, about 42m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Ankeny, IA and Bellevue, IA.
1
Start on Southwest 3rd Street
48 ft
·
4 sec
·
Southwest 3rd Street
2
Turn right onto Southwest Walnut Street
0.2 mi
·
37 sec
·
Southwest Walnut Street
3
At end of road, turn right onto West 1st Street
1.8 mi
·
4 min
·
West 1st Street
4
Continue on Northeast 94th Avenue
8.5 mi
·
13 min
·
Northeast 94th Avenue
5
Turn left onto US 65; IA 330
28 mi
·
32 min
·
Northeast Hubbell Road
6
Take the exit
0.5 mi
·
1 min
7
Merge onto US 30
37 mi
·
42 min
·
Lincoln Highway
8
Continue on US 30
27 mi
·
30 min
·
73rd Street
9
Take the exit
1.0 mi
·
1 min
Toward IA 100 East: Cedar Rapids, Marion
10
Continue on IA 100
9.4 mi
·
11 min
·
IA 100
11
Keep slight right at fork onto IA 100
5.9 mi
·
7 min
·
Collins Road Northeast
12
Turn left onto US 151; IA 13
1.1 mi
·
1 min
·
US 151; IA 13
13
Turn right onto US 151
24 mi
·
27 min
·
Marion Airport Road
14
Continue on US 151
32 mi
·
37 min
·
200th Avenue
15
Keep slight left at fork onto US 151
3.5 mi
·
4 min
·
US 151
16
Turn right onto US 52
0.7 mi
·
1 min
·
Bellevue Road
17
Continue on US 52
9.1 mi
·
12 min
·
Great River Road
18
Continue on US 52
0.5 mi
·
54 sec
·
Main Street
19
Continue on US 52
7.6 mi
·
10 min
·
Great River Road
20
Continue on US 52
2.5 mi
·
4 min
·
North Riverview Street
21
Arrive at destination
US 52
Trip Plan
Since this is a one-day trip, your best bet is to leave early in the morning to account for the frequent turns and local traffic patterns. You will only need to factor in one primary stop during your 4-hour and 6-minute drive, so plan your break strategically to coincide with the middle of your journey. Keep in mind that because the route is turn-heavy, your GPS will be your best friend; double-check your directions before leaving Ankeny to avoid missing critical junctions on the smaller roads. Budgeting $30 for fuel should be sufficient, but always keep an eye on your tank when navigating the more rural stretches. Take advantage of the trip's inherent flexibility, as the lack of long highway segments allows you to adjust your pace easily if you encounter unexpected road conditions or local traffic.
Morning Departure
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Evening Departure
A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
Plan roughly 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, and rest.
The halfway point lands around 100.3 miles from Ankeny, IA, or about 2h 2m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 37 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 80 miles or 1h 38m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 100.3 miles or 2h 2m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 3h 18m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Bellevue, IA than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Ankeny, IA so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Ankeny, IA
This is one driving day of about 200.5 miles and 4h 6m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 80 miles from Ankeny, IA.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
Plan about 1 real break rather than only quick fuel stops.
The longest stretch is on Lincoln Highway for about 37 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 100.3 mi from Ankeny, IA · 2h 2m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
100 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
Pacing Suggestions
Fuel and coffee
A short stop after about 80 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
Meal break
The midpoint is around 100.3 miles from Ankeny, IA, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
Arriving in Bellevue, IA
The final approach into Bellevue, IA usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Bellevue, IA.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$30.45 one way
$60.91 round trip
$3.86/gal
25.4 MPG avg
70 kg CO2
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $33.57 | $67.14 |
| premium | $4.80 | $37.85 | $75.70 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $44.54 | $89.09 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$30
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$55–$80
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 70.2 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $21 in charging · 0 stops · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 60.2 | 0 | $21.05 | $9.62 |
| Efficient EV | 50.1 | 0 | $17.54 | $8.02 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 80.2 | 1 | $28.07 | $12.83 |
Gas CO2
70 kg
EV CO2
23 kg (67% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Destination
Bellevue, IA
Afternoon in Bellevue on Sunday
Local time
2:18 PM
CDT
Current temp
48°F
Unavailable
Live forecast
Along the Route
43°F
Marion, IA
100 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
5 degrees warmer at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
4h 6m on the road
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
Frequently Asked Questions
The drive from Ankeny, IA to Bellevue, IA covers 200.5 miles and takes about 4h 6m without stops. Add 15-30 minutes for a fuel or rest stop on longer drives.
The main roads are Lincoln Highway, 200th Avenue, Northeast Hubbell Road. Expect a mix of highway and local road driving.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
The midpoint is about 100.3 miles from Ankeny, IA. Look for rest areas, gas stations, or food options near the halfway mark.
At current regular gas prices, expect to spend about $30.45 one way. This estimate uses 25.4 MPG — your actual cost will vary with your vehicle's fuel efficiency and current gas prices.
An early start around 7-8 AM gets you there with plenty of daylight left. A late afternoon start means arriving after dark. Morning is better.
Plan about 1 meaningful break for fuel, food, or rest. Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
This is a straightforward 4h 6m drive. You will face about 9 decision points, but nothing that requires special attention if you follow navigation.
The main spots that need attention: near the start (Southwest Walnut Street): Navigation decision point; at 0.2 miles (West 1st Street): Navigation decision point; at 38.4 miles: Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early.
On the drive from Ankeny, IA to Bellevue, IA, road signs begin pointing toward Marion along the way.
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